New owner 166 3.2 (2003)

[BJD166]

Hi all,
  Great to join up with you.
  I am a new owner of a 2003 166 busso. Finally getting to own an alfa in the latter years of my life.
  Loving the car but after 3 months ownership finding parts are harder to get than I thought they would be.
  Just wanting to know what parts(hard to get) off a 155 same year are good to match up with the 166 as found one with grass growing up around it and thought it might be a good source.
  Many thanks,
   Darren

[GTV-074]

Darren,

I'm no 155/166 expert (perhaps others with 166 expertise can comment) but I don't think you will get much from the 155 for your 166.
No outside panels are shared (maybe outside mirrors?, need to check). Interior may have the odd switch, relay etc. but again not much cross-over on the interior.
Can't comment too much on the mechanical side of things, I mean they are both front wheel drive (is this 155 a 4cyl or a V6?). If its a 4, that would further diminish any parts salvage. Might be something from suspension parts, but you would need to confirm.
Maybe troll though some of the UK Alfa parts sites and see what commonality exists, might help.

Good Luck and welcome to the wonderful, weird world of Alfa Romeo!

Cheers.

[poohbah]

I doubt there is anything likely to be usable on your 166. The 156 and 166 were entirely new platforms (I believe they may have been the first totally "new" dedicated Alfa platforms after Fiat's takeover by Walter de Silva at Alfa Centro Stile). The 155 was based on the pre-existing Fiat Tipo Tre platform. Totally different style "language".

All that aside - how bad is the 155? They are so rare in Australia might be worth grabbing if its any chance of being restored, or of interest to one of the handful of Aussie 155 owners. Fella round the corner from me brought his 155 V6 with him from SAf, but its not yet on Aussie plates.

[bazzbazz]

if you're looking for parts may I suggest Arese Spares in Sydney or Italian Automotive Spares in Melbourne.